Adderall is a type of amphetamine that is common throughout the U.S. When used as directed, it can provide relief from ADHD. However, using Adderall in high doses or in combination with other drugs can have harrowing effects. A growing number of people are concerned about the long-term effects of Adderall and how they impact people using it. Even worse, people abusing Adderall may suffer from more severe side effects. Some may also experience a life-threatening overdose. Thankfully, an Adderall addiction treatment center like Crestview Recovery can help people manage their addiction and move forward in their lives.
Effects of Adderall
Adderall provides relief from ADHD and other focus-related problems. However, abusing Adderall or other stimulants may trigger many dangerous long-term side effects that the user may not notice.
- Problems with falling and staying asleep
- Struggles with depression
- Increased levels of anxiety
- Tics
- Aggression
- Sudden mood swings, including paranoia
- Skin picking
Other possible problems include dizziness, dry mouth, nervousness, dry mouth, trouble breathing, aggression, panic attacks, weight changes, stomach issues, tremors, involuntary movements, and difficulty concentrating. These side-effects are more common for people taking high doses of the drug, but becoming addicted to Adderall is more common than many people realize. An ADHD treatment program like the Even the medical use of Adderall may trigger some issues, though the risk is less severe. Just a few of the most common long-term effects of Adderall include:
Adderall Addiction
When a person feels unable to function normally without a drug, they are addicted to that substance. As tolerance increases, people may increase their dosages without a doctor’s recommendation. This can lead to serious side effects. Continued use of a drug that causes problems in your life can cause even more harm. Stimulants like Adderall are known as amphetamines, and they increase the activity of the body and the mind in a variety of ways.
As a result, a person may become reliant on Adderall to get through their day-to-day lives. Unfortunately, this situation can quickly spiral out of control. People abusing Adderall may find that they need higher doses to achieve the same effect. As a result, they may end up triggering worsened long-term effects and experiencing even more adverse reactions. If you need a stimulant drug addiction rehab center, contact Crestview Recovery.
Can you overdose on Adderall? Yes, you can. An overdose on Adderall will trigger high fevers, muscle pains, physical weakness, confusion, tremors, an inability to sleep, and potential breathing troubles. Heart reactions, such as irregular heartbeats and high blood pressure, may even cause a heart attack or stroke. Using Adderall at high doses for long periods of time increases the likelihood of an overdose.
The Long-Term Effects
It is important to avoid opiates and stimulants when taking Adderall. In fact, combining substances can increase the risk of overdose and addiction. Quitting or cutting back on your Adderall doses is often a significant challenge that requires you to change your life in a variety of different ways. Just a few of the most common ways that you can avoid this problem include:
- Cutting your dose of Adderall if used medically
- Finding other relaxation methods to manage your ADHD
- Starting exercising to increase your metabolism and energy levels
- Stop abusing Adderall with friends
- Getting help from a drug addiction treatment program
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Clients in substance use disorder treatment commonly suffer from PTSD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma, and depression alongside substance use. Mood and anxiety disorders are some of the most common of these mental illnesses. Severe dual diagnosis conditions that can occur include schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. A few common dual diagnoses include:
- Stimulant addiction and depression
- Stimulant addiction and anxiety
- Alcohol addiction and anxiety
- Alcohol addiction and depression
It can be hard for doctors to diagnose these co-occurring conditions for many reasons. Addiction can hide or exaggerate certain symptoms. Also, many of the symptoms of drug addiction are similar to the symptoms of certain mental health concerns.
Managing Mental Health Concerns
A person’s overuse of alcohol or other drugs could trigger the onset of certain mental health disorders. Both disorders need to be treated simultaneously in order for treatment to be effective.
Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, offers dual diagnosis treatment for mental health conditions as a primary concern or alongside alcohol and drug addiction. Clients benefit from master-level therapists. Leading therapies often include:
Individual Counseling
In individual counseling, your counselor will work with you to identify triggers for your substance use and develop strategies for managing these triggers. Your counselor may also help you work through any feelings of shame or guilt that are associated with your addiction, and they can support you as you make changes to improve your overall physical, mental, and emotional health.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is a type of psychotherapy that involves one or more therapists working with a small group of individuals to address issues related to mental health and substance use. It provides participants with the opportunity to receive support, feedback, and learning from other people who are facing similar challenges.
Holistic Therapy
Holistic therapy is a type of treatment that focuses on the patient as a whole, rather than just their addiction or mental health condition. This approach often incorporates alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, yoga, and massage therapy, to help address both the physical and psychological aspects of dual diagnosis.
Help For Addiction
If you or someone you love needs to visit an Adderall addiction treatment center in Portland, Oregon, please contact us at Crestview Recovery today at 866.262.0531 to learn more. We include a multitude of treatment options, such as intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, dual-diagnosis therapy, individual therapy, and more. We treat all levels and types of addiction at our welcoming Pacific Northwest treatment center. Please do not let addiction take over your life.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
